This comes after a more in-depth investigation from February.
In accordance with a report by TechCrunch, the European Union (EU) has initiated a second formal inquiry against TikTok and has accused the site of violating the Digital Services Act (DSA) that is in effect in the region. TikTok Lite is a reduced version of the app that takes up less memory on a smartphone and was designed to function over slower internet connections. The investigation focuses on the addictive nature of TikTok Lite.
A design feature that enables users to earn points by watching and like videos was included in TikTok Lite, which was released earlier this month in France and Spain. TikTok’s unique digital currency, which is often used to tip producers, can be traded for certain items, such as Amazon vouchers. These points can also be used to purchase gifts. Concerns have been raised by the European Union Commission over the potential impact that this form of “task and reward” design language could have on the mental health of young users for the reason that it “stimulates addictive behavior.”
However, the Commission has indicated that it may impose temporary measures in order to compel the parent company, ByteDance, to halt TikTok Lite in the European Union while it conducts its investigation. This is despite the fact that the Commission has not yet established any violations of the Digital Services Act. The corporation has until the 24th of April to present its case against these possible regulations; consequently, the application is still accessible to people who live in the EU. ByteDance, on the other hand, did not furnish the European Union with a risk assessment document concerning TikTok Lite despite being requested to do so the previous week.
This failure to comply with the DSA could expose the company to severe fines of up to one percent of its entire yearly income and recurring penalties of up to five percent of daily income. Both of these penalties could be imposed on the company. The Commission has not provided any indication as to whether or not it intends to issue these fines while the investigation is still ongoing.
Thierry Breton, the commissioner for the EU Internal Market, noted in a news release that announced the investigation that “we suspect TikTok Lite could be as toxic and addictive as” lite cigarettes. As a result, the investigation is currently underway. We shall make every possible effort to ensure the safety of our youngsters.
In response to the investigation and the possibility that TikTok Lite will be banned in the European Union, ByteDance has not yet provided a response. Earlier in February, a more in-depth investigation was released, and this most recent investigation follows that. In this extensive research, the topics of interest include addictive algorithms, problems with age verification, default privacy settings, and the openness of advertisements.
Since February’s investigation is still ongoing, ByteDance has already been compelled to make compromises in order to permit TikTok to function within the European Union. The organization was required to provide users with the opportunity to prevent algorithms from being the driving force behind the For You Page and to implement new reporting methods for hazardous content. Additionally, it stopped displaying tailored advertisements to users in the European Union who were between the ages of 13 and 17.
The contentious ban on TikTok is getting closer and closer to becoming a reality in the United States. During the course of this past weekend, the United States House of Representatives inserted a revised version of the bill into the package of international aid. ByteDance would have one year to sell out TikTok before it would be prohibited from app stores, according to the new legislation that is being presented with this new legislation. The bill is currently being sent to the Senate, where it is expected to be voted on this week. On the other hand, it is not yet clear whether or not the Senate will be willing to include the information regarding TikTok in the foreign aid package. In the past, Vice President Biden has stated that he would be in favor of a ban on TikTok if it were to be passed by Congress.